The existing Switch 2 had region locking in the sense of making two versions (the Japanese one is mainly language locked, meaning you can’t change it to ENG plus the region settings are fixed to JPN) however from that, foreign cartidges can be read with the language changed to Japanese (if supported) since most games detect console language except if the game itself has settings within it to revert or swap langauges.

Japanese version only accepts Nintendo Accounts that have the region set to Japan upon signing in. Literally, the only difference between that and the “normal” Switch 2 is language & region plus cost (cheaper than the international one), the reason why it exists is to make it affordable for their own consumers due to the weak Yen as they are aware that foreigners will region hop buying the console in bulk if they didn’t region lock it.

When it first came out, Japan only had it only obtainable via a lottery system (raffle) which is only intended for both citizens and expats with permanent residency (they would’ve been required to show Japanese issued ID upon collecting if they’ve won), so tourists can’t just buy the console nor pre-order it, but that standard was dropped recently as the Switch 2 has been around for a while plus hype around it has settled down.